Master of Arts in Counseling & Health Psychology Program (MA)

Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Licensure and Scope of Practice in the State of Massachusetts

Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) are qualified to provide services to individuals, groups, and/or families. They apply theories, principles, and methods of counseling and psychotherapy to define goals and develop plans of action aimed toward the prevention, treatment, and resolution of mental and emotional dysfunction and intra- or interpersonal difficulties. The practice of mental health counseling includes, but is not limited to, the assessment, diagnosis, and non-medical treatment of mental and emotional disorders, the application of psychoeducational techniques and measures aimed at the prevention of such disorders, and consultation to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

A) A minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate level academic courses in counseling or a related field This can be satisfied by a 60-hour Master’s degree; a 48-semester hour Master’s degree with an advanced certificate (e.g., CAS; CAGS); a second Master’s degree or a Doctoral degree. All degrees must be from integrated, planned, and comprehensive programs within regionally-accredited educational institutions.

The MA Curriculum consists of 60 semester credit hours distributed within an organized and sequential program of study. MSPP is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), a regional accrediting body.

B) A practicum (minimum of 100 hours)

Practicum I & II and connected seminars (360 hours)

C) An internship (minimum 600 hours)

Internship A and B and connected seminars (600 + hours)

D) One, 3-semester hour or four quarter hour graduate-level course in each of the following ten areas:

E) One or more elective courses in areas relevant to the knowledge and skills relevant to the practice of mental health counseling.

Three (3) elective courses, each worth three (3) credits.

Master’s Level Licensure Outside of Massachusetts

Because master’s level licensure requirements and scope of practice vary across states, students who believe they might wish to practice in states other than Massachusetts are advised to contact directly the licensing boards in the particular state(s) where they hope to practice for information about their licensing requirements. Some of this information is also available in the American Counseling Association’s (2007) Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors: A State-by-State Report. This publication can be ordered via the American Counseling Association’s website www.counseling.org. Information regarding state licensure requirements can also be found on the website for the National Board for certified Counselors (NBCC) www.nbcc.org/directory/Default.aspx.